Moruga Hill Rice is a unique, nutty-flavoured grain that's a true Trinidadian treasure. It's an upland rice, meaning it's grown on hillsides without flooding, which gives it a distinct texture and flavour. Because it's a whole grain, it cooks differently from standard white rice.
Ingredients
or1 cup of moruga Hill Rice (200 g)
or2.5 cups (16.9 fl oz) of spring Water (630 g)or1.5 cups of coconut milk (400 g)
or1 tbsp of oil, coconut (14 g)
or2 cloves of garlic, raw (6 g)
or1 small unit of onions, raw (70 g)
or3 tsps of thyme, fresh (2 g)
or1 tsp of salt, table (6 g)
or2 dashes of spices, pepper, black (0 g)
Preparation
1.
Place the Moruga Hill Rice in a bowl and cover it with water. Swirl the grains with your hand and carefully pour out the water. Repeat this process 2-3 times until the water is mostly clear. This removes excess starch.2.
In a medium-sized pot with a tight-fitting lid, heat the coconut oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté for about 2-3 minutes until they become fragrant and the onion is translucent.3.
Add the rinsed and drained rice to the pot. Stir it continuously for about 1-2 minutes to lightly toast the grains. This step enhances its natural nutty flavour.4.
Pour in the water or coconut milk. Add the sprig of thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together and bring it to a rolling boil.5.
Once the liquid is boiling, reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting. Cover the pot with the tight-fitting lid on top of a clean green leaf. Let the rice simmer gently for 35-45 minutes. It's important not to lift the lid during this time, as the steam is crucial for cooking the grains properly.6.
After the cooking time has passed, turn off the heat but leave the pot covered on the stove. Let the rice rest and steam for another 10-15 minutes. This allows the grains to firm up and absorb any remaining moisture.7.
Remove the lid, take out the thyme sprig, and use a fork to fluff the rice. Serve hot.8.
Moruga Hill Rice is a whole grain and absorbs more water than white rice. The 1 cup rice to 2.5 cups liquid ratio is a reliable starting point.9.
You can add a pimento pepper (chopped, without seeds) or a bay leaf along with the thyme for extra flavour. Adding a tablespoon of green seasoning with the onions and garlic is also a delicious local twist.
